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A good, professionally applied high-quality paste wax applied once a year by people who know what they are doing. Unless the person putting it on knows how to operate a buffer, it should be hand-rubbed. Buffers in the wrong hands can do an incredible amount of damage to a finish. I say once a year because you can apply "touch up" coats of wax by yourself a few times a year. But that quality base is key.

Go to a "touchless" car wash that doesn't use brushes. Car washes do as little equipment maintenance as possible, and the cloths and brushes are typically impregnated with grit which will trash your paint job fast. I've got millions of micro scratches on my windshield (and paint) from the %^&^ car wash.

I've come to the same conclusion about the paint on my '99 OBW -- it is "delicate."

what's best....do it yourself. i wouldn't trust my car to any car wash place, and the touchless jobbers don't do a good job, and in most cases you have the guys at the end wiping the dirt around on the paint that the car wash missed.

zymol makes some nice products. You can get as elaborate into waxes and protectants as you can imagine, or you can go buy some stuff down at the local autoparts store that works fine. It really depends on how much time, money, and what you want your finish to look like.

Knowing that I am 'that type of a guy' it it isn't fairly easy/convenient I'm likely to put it off too long.
So I'm gonna use NuFinish. I think it's actually some kinda non-wax based stuff (polymer?)but, years ago it performed well in a CU test, it isn't picky about 'apply in the shade' (that can be an issue in Texas on occasion) and is a little less trouble than carnauda wax. Which will trap dirt in the heat of the South and West. I briefly considered a buffer but decided against it for the reasons stated above.
The show car guys like the Zaino bros. line of products.
Just depends on your level of enthusiasm for spending time on the appearance of your car.
From what I saw, the Mother's line of stuff seems pretty good too.

Josh what was the wax you used, or use. I rember about 6 months-1 year ago you posted your legacy on here after you waxed it, it looked really great. You said you used some wax company I never heard of before. I need some of that stuff for my sube.

Zymol gives an excellant shine, it's not the longest lasting wax, nor is it the easiest to apply. If your paint finish is not excellant, use another product to get it looking good, then if you use zymol on it, it should look really good. You need to follow all the steps for zymol as well. If it's the first time using it, you need to use their HD-cleanse, and when your done waxing, spray a light mist of water over the car, it helps to even out the shine.

I used the NuFinish on my other car and, except for the 'petroleum distillates' as mentioned above, it was a breeze to use. I doubt there are any abrasives in it as you pretty much just smear it on (um - an already cleaned and dry car) wait till it hazes and wipe off the dust. Can't feel any abrasives. Very fast and easy. Not perhaps super deep showcar finish but VERY nice inmprovement. Works in direct sun too. I'm gonna use it on my '03 OBW. Just thought I'd hold off as I have read new cars have finishes that may still 'cure' for awahile even after shipping. Might be a myth?

vic se ,
what color is your car? Why does it seem fragile are you seeing lots of scratches and swirl marks?
As others have said hand washing is best hand washing your car is kind of like buffing your car only you take off such a minimal amount of paint that you would never notice over the course of 7 years of hand mitting your car its the same as having your car buffed, By a profesional once during that seven year period. When you hand wash you are just taking the top layer of dead paint off.
also use a chamois or synthetic chamois not towels to dry your car or one of those squegee things but buy a good one.
those waxes recommended were really good too. especially that zymol I use it 4 times a year on mine.
And remember "Wax on Wax off"
I had to do it "Daniel son"

Check out the products at Griotsgarage.com, I've been using their stuff for quite a few years now and am very pleased. Clay bar is a great product. They have 100% guarantee, if you don't like it, send it back for refund.